Lead Process Design Engineer
Ambercycle
Design
Remote
Posted on Friday, May 5, 2023
About Us
Ambercycle is a material science company founded in 2015 to create a fashion industry without 'waste'. We're developing and scaling a breakthrough technology to manufacture yarns and fabrics from old clothes, without a sacrifice in quality, rather than from petroleum or new agriculture resources. Our apparel products avoid the use of new raw materials and go into the highest quality applications, exceeding the expectations of end customers with a fraction of the environmental footprint. Using our technology, we are fundamentally changing the fashion industry and building the infinite textile ecosystem. For more information, visit www.ambercycle.com
Who You Might Be
You've been building things and taking them apart your whole life. You are thrilled by the prospect of constructing things and watching them work and take great satisfaction in taking concepts into real-world solutions at massive scale, in fact you're wired to do so. You watch YouTube videos of people constructing plants, showcasing process equipment, and doing chemistry experiments. You like working with your hands and really understanding how things work in real life. Overcoming all obstacles to turn whiteboard sketches into breakthrough commercial realities is second nature to you, and you value your ability to get to the heart of an issue and advance a project.
You love efficiency but have a practical outlook on how to get things done and move a project forward. You are respected for your ability to 'make it happen', and people rally around you to turn visions into realities. You have the perfect mix of strategic, operational, analytical, and people skills. You are a clear, confident communicator who loves taking a complicated problem, deconstructing it, and finding + implementing solutions. You are a problem solver.
The Job
We’re looking for a Process Design Engineer who will play a critical role in the design, commissioning, start-up and operation of Ambercycle’s FOAK commercial plant. You will work in collaboration with the R&D, Engineering and Technology teams to directly contribute to the design and operation of Ambercycle’s first plant, and make process improvements which can be applied at this and future plants. The ideal candidate will be driven, confident, and will do what it takes to ensure successful commercialization and scale-up of our process technology. This individual will work to ensure effective decision-making and execution of technology development and commercialization. This will include engagement with and oversight of equipment vendors, EPC firms, and consultants. You will be responsible for the technology development, equipment selection, and continual improvement of Ambercycle processes. You will transfer laboratory experiments to full-scale commercial processes and be involved in every technical stage of the project lifecycle. You will be involved with senior leaders to optimize and commercially realize our process for the conversion of end-of-life textile materials into brand new goods, as well as grow the portfolio of commercialized Ambercycle products.
Responsibilities
- Lead concept and equipment design, technology/equipment selection, installation, start-up and commissioning.
- Participate in detailed engineering, procurement and construction during start-up and commissioning phases.
- Troubleshoot and improve processes from the lab/pilot scale to commercial scale.
- Collaborate closely with R&D, Engineering and Technology to identify and overcome process challenges and bottlenecks as well as implement new process designs and equipment.
- Link laboratory and pilot work with the development of commercial scale equipment and processes.
- Collect and manage pilot and process data.
- Provide reports and tract progress with internal and external teams.
- Execute project plans for process design and technology scale-up from pilot to commercial scale.
- Be responsible for participating in the process safety and hazard analysis in the facility, process safety focal point, PHA/HAZOP, reactive chemical audits and layers of protection analysis (LOPA).
- Travel to company locations and facilities for meetings, training, special projects and information gathering (domestic and international).
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree (required) preferably in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering; Six Sigma certification (preferred)
- 6+ years of process engineering experience (required); experience in startup and commercialization (preferred)
- Proven Process Design Engineer with a track record of success from concept to start-up in new product and process commercialization in large company and small start-up environments involving R&D, Process Technology, Scale-up and Commercialization.
- Successful experience with process plant design and commissioning, equipment/vendor trialing and selection.
- Strong background in solids handling and chemicals/polymers manufacturing.
- Track record of linking research and development activities with successful real-world implementation.
- Large-scale industrial processing experience of chemicals or polymers.
- Must have an incredible enthusiasm for scaling a first-in-kind sustainable process, a strong desire to change the world, and passion for solving difficult engineering problems.
- Must take initiative and be hungry for technical excellence and project success.
- Operational support and track record of solving difficult chemical and polymer process problems.
- Proficient in process modelling (Aspen HYSYS) and equipment sizing linking testwork and pilot plant operation to real project implementation.
- Experience with techno-economic analysis, trade-of studies, and financial evaluation.
- Knowledge of process economics responsibility OPEX/CAPEX modeling.
- Strong knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies to minimize downtime and continually improve processes.
- Strong experience with testwork, pilot plant design and operation.
- Strong flowsheet conceptualization and development and process design skills.
- Ability to effectively operate in a fast-paced, open environment.
- Ability to travel up to 40% percent, international travel may be required.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Flexible PTO
- 401(k)
- Free Healthy Snacks & Beverages
Ambercycle is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Ambercycle is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Are you interested in joining Ambercycle, but feel like you may not meet every single requirement of this role?
Research shows that women and other under-represented groups within STEM fields often hesitate to apply unless they tick all or most of the boxes of a role description. At Ambercycle, we're building a circular ecosystem that disrupts the fashion supply chain with first-of-a-kind technology at its core. We recognize the importance of having a diverse, inclusive, and authentic team to realize our goal of decarbonizing fashion.
If you share our passion for this goal, but are concerned that your experience may not align perfectly with the qualifications stated in our job posting, we strongly encourage you to apply anyway! You may be just the right candidate, either for this role - or for another upcoming role in our growing team.
See more open positions at Ambercycle
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